Reimagined First Financial Center
In January 2026, the First Financial Center officially reopened their doors after significant updates and renovations to become a meeting planner's dream space as more flexible, functional, cutting-edge, and environmentally friendly.
The completely reimagined Center features modernized meeting rooms, upgraded ballrooms and renovated exhibit hall and pre-function space. In addition, a new expansive rooftop terrace on the third level provides stunning views of Cincinnati's downtown skyline. Major improvements were made to building systems and technology making it much more energy efficient.
The development pours over the Elm Street Plaza, a new, two-acre park and outdoor convention area convenient for event activations and relaxing breakouts.
The project costs $264 million and reopened in January 2026, making it one of the premier convention centers in the Midwest.
Read more about the Convention Center here.
New Marriott Headquarters Hotel
Ground has officially broken on the brand-new Marriott Headquarters Hotel located directly across the street and south of the First Financial Convention Center. It is expected to feature:
- 700 Rooms
- More than 62,000 square feet of meeting space and a 17,000 square foot events terrace
- Full-service, three-meal restaurant and outdoor bar with panoramic skyline views
- A skybridge connecting the hotel to the reimagined First Financial Convention Center
- 15,000 square feet of retail space
This $536 million investment will be one of the final puzzle pieces to the overall $800 million transformation of the downtown convention district.
New Elm Street Convention Plaza
Located east of the Convention Center and across Elm Street, a brand new, two-acre park went through an upgrade. The plaza features:
- An additional two-acres of outdoor activation space extended from the renovated Convention Center, great for receptions, parties, live music and food trucks
- Programming and events when not being utilized by convention groups
- New pavilion and walking paths
The Elm Street Plaza officially opened in November 2025.
Key Development Dates
- Convention Center Renderings Finalized: September 2023
- Convention Center Groundbreaking: July 2024
- Elm Street Plaza Opening: November 2025
- Convention Center Grand Reopening: January 2026
- Hotel Groundbreaking: Q2 2026
- Hotel Grand Opening: Q4 2028
Convention District Progress
More Convention District Developments
Within two blocks of the downtown Convention Center, dozens of new restaurants, shops, retail and parking have opened making it easy for visitors to grab a bite near their hotel or walk across the street for a cocktail. Explore a few of the developments below.
More Developments in Cincy North
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